It's all here...for the love...

Helpful How-Tos & DIYs • Tips & Techniques • Info & Inspo

Projects from our Paint & Design Studio in Australia. Inspirational and instructional how-to tips on chalk, milk and mineral paint as well as refinishing furniture, upcycling and before and after projects!

I never really thought I'd have the opportunity to visit the Fixer Upper empire in Waco Texas that is Magnolia Markets. But...it happened. In 40+ degree heat and 100% humidity with shoulder-to-shoulder crowds!

It's inspiring to see how Chip and Joanna Gaines have created such opportunities in this inland Texas town — and the spilling over of growth and revitalization is visible as you drive the neighborhood.

Let's start outside.

The gardens are gorgeous with greenery and ample seating everywhere. There are porch swings and vegetable gardens, vertical green walls and a grassed play area for the little ones. Picnic seating was under cover with water misters to fight the heat. And there were food trucks and stands to grab a meal, a drink or a snack.

​And of course...those gorgeous rusty silos.

Lets go inside the gorgeous Magnolia Market — the building itself is lovely and all the goodies inside made it worth the wall-to-wall people. ​

I might've grabbed a few goodies here and there, here's a photo of my "Magnolia haul" which I was going to fit in my suitcase at all costs!

I also grabbed a little pressie for the lucky winners of the door prize and online giveaway at our upcoming Drop In Day we have scheduled at For The Love Creations on Wednesday, 5 September 2018 from 10am-1pm — Watch for the Facebook Live event during this time!

The line for the Magnolia Bakery went on and on and so we took a pass but here are some parting shots. What a great day — but the best part might've been taking a cold shower and hanging out in an air conditioned hotel room afterward! ;D

Visiting the Magnolia Market and Silos really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I am so happy to be able to share with y'all (see what I did there?) Hope you enjoyed it!

It's important to point something out about MMS Milk Paint. Imagine if I wanted to change the look of the ceiling and didn't know about Milk Paint? Imagine the sanding, the stripping...all that would have to happen to repaint them or create another look. I shudder. ​

Thank the heavens for our all natural, VOC-free, 5-ingredients only Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint! We were able to live in the space we were painting without awful smells or chemicals — and the house remained mess-free because we didn't have to sand!

We started with Farmhouse White and Bonding Agent. A 1-quart package was mixed with roughly the same amount of water for a 1:1 ratio before adding roughly 2/3 of a 250ml bottle of Bonding Agent.

I confess, with the ladder work and awkward neck angle this ceiling required, my husband did at least 80 of the painting and you know what? First-time Milk Painter and now...avid MMS Milk Paint fan!

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

A$12.00 - A$75.00

One of the most beautiful paints you'll ever use. All-natural, non-toxic Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint sticks to any porous surface without primer, sanding or prep. It will not chip or peel as it binds with the substrate. The only paint that creates the authentic "chippy" look.

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint can be used with Bonding Agent to adhere to even more surfaces including varnished and pre-painted surfaces, metal, plastic & glass without prep. It can range from a solid colour to a stain — depending on how much water is added.

I've been using MMSMP for years and what I love most about it, is that sometimes it will behave in a way entirely unexpected. But I knew that whatever it did would be beautiful and I could work with it. I think this only comes with experience with the paint itself, you develop a confidence in the paint, you learn to trust it as well as your ability to be flexible.

I mixed the paint in a paint bucket with a stick blender allowing ample time to rest, before mixing again. I used a larger faux natural bristle brush and got to painting. Right away, I loved the change. The stark, shiny finish disappeared...

Work-in-Progress: The high gloss (top of photo) and Farmhouse White transforming the painted timber to a more subtle finish

Although I love this softened, more subtle look, I wanted a bit more personality in the finish so I experimented with other neutrals including Linen, Mora, Ironstone, Grain Sack, Layla's Mint, Schloss — I left no MMSMP stone unturned!

During this experimental/deciding phase my lovely Farmhouse White yellowed terribly...It was quite a shock (sorry, no photo!) A great example of the unexpected! I couldn't be completely surprised though as the paint we went over looks like it may be an oil-based enamel that was sprayed straight onto very orange timber. So, we have the leeching into my lovely Farmhouse White.

After much deliberation and debate, the husband and I settled on Marzipan because it worked well with the yellowing. In fact, it was warm and welcoming and layers beautifully over the now-yellowed Farmhouse White! Marzipan would still look amazing if the ceiling continued yellowing (which it has, but only slightly).

The first coat of Farmhouse White was painted on with a brush to create texture and dimension. The second coat using Marzipan with Bonding Agent we used a microfiber roller and brush to get variation to the finish. I wanted it to look like old fading paper. I think we might've nailed it?

Don't you just love the painting journey? Never knowing where it will take you. The unexpected twists and turns are always my favorite part with the end result being even better than I'd imagined!

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It's all here . . . for the love . . .​Sada***Just an aside. I can't be sure how much paint the ceiling used because we've moved on to the rest of the ceilings in the house. All I know is I was shocked with how little paint was needed! Love MMSMP!

Fusion Mineral Paint

Tracy prepped the cupboards by giving them a good sanding. She hand-painted two coats by in the gorgeous neutral Champlain which used 1 pot of paint plus another 1/4 pot. Not bad! She sealed with Fusion's Tough Coat Sealer for extra protection.

When asked if she would do anything different, Tracy said: ​"I don't think I would change anything with the way I did it, it was my first time painting something so big and I was really happy with how it came out. I was actually amazed at how easy it was. They have really held up well, they haven't marked at all."

There are many theories on removing odours and smells from antique and vintage furniture.

I've come across pieces with nests and smells that would curl your toes, but I've never met a piece that wasn't salvageable.

Here are a few favorites techniques that I’ve always found to be effective, and best of all, most are inexpensive supplies you probably have on hand:

1. White Vinegar

Spray it or brush it on. Once dry follow up with another spray or wipe down with vinegar-water-essential oil dampened rag (peppermint, tea tree, lavender, patchouli all work great and also work to keep creepy-crawlies away).

If you’d prefer not to spray directly onto surface, set cups of vinegar or sponges wet with vinegar (on plastic plates) inside and tightly close drawers or doors.

Some even seal the entire piece in plastic like giant rubbish bags to prevent any "escaping" smells.​